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Delta Successfully Launches NASA Aqua Spacecraft
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Boeing Delta 2 successfully launched NASA’s Aqua satellite from
Vandenberg AFB, pad SLC 2W, at 0954 UTC on May 4. The satellite will
orbit in a 705 km (381 nmi) sun-synchronous orbit at 98.2°.
Aqua
will monitor and measure atmospheric temperature and humidity
profiles, clouds, precipitation and radiative balances;
terrestrial snow and sea ice; sea surface temperature and ocean
productivity; and soil moisture. The data will be used to improve
numerical weather prediction.
 The
2935 kg (6468 lbm) Aqua spacecraft was built by TRW using the
modular, standardized AB 1200 common spacecraft bus. The
spacecraft is built of lightweight composite materials to allow
for increased payload  weight
and reduce launch costs. The Earth-facing side of the spacecraft
is devoted solely to the Aqua instruments, maximizing
fields-of-view. All instruments are attached to the craft via
simple mounting devices. The satellite has a 6 year design life
goal with an end-of-life power of 4.860 kW.
Aqua
is a joint project between the United States, Japan, and Brazil.
.
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